Instructors

The Instructors of Joy are professional, patient, passionate and here to make your riding way more fun…

All JoyRide instructors are proud to be PMBI Level 1 certified and first aid trained.

Ashley Peters

Known for her loud and infectious giggling, as much as her sweet skills on a bike, American-born Ash can be heard from miles away, which is rather helpful when bringing people together! As the founder of JoyRide, she quite possibly has the best job in the whole world. Here’s the nitty gritty: PMBI Level 2 MTB Instructor, CyclingNZ Mountain Bike Coach,postgraduate in Education, co-founder of Revolve Cycling Club, and founder (and current coordinator) of WORD. She was put her on this planet to bring some sunshine, we’re just lucky it comes in the form of mountain biking and baked goodies.

Russ Garlick

This is the guy who takes annual leave to dig trails..his heart and soul are in mountain biking and the Wellington community is very lucky to have him. As the Chair of TrailFund, and an ambassador for Specialized NZ and Burkes Cycles, Russ certainly knows his way around a mountain bike. He is super stoked to encourage people (and the kids at WORD) to love riding just as much as he does. While he has found a way to incorporate Lego at his 9-5 job, we really know Russ is just dreaming about biking adventures.

Rod Bardsley

Rod Bardsley is cooler than most people, no question. An ex-firefighter with style and devilishly good looks, he’s also a talented mountain biker with balls of steel. Or so he says. From his early days riding in the rugged hills of Wellington, to today’s National Masters podium results, Rod has pushed his impressive riding skills further and further, along the way accumulating a varied resume most mountain bikers would die for. MTB instructor, bike mechanic, trailbuilder, NZ bike industry maven. And just in case you haven’t seen: The Rodfather

Vee Burroughs

Riding gives Vee a huge sense of freedom-She loves the ups, downs, twists, turns, bumps and jumps. Over the years Vee has coached downhill mountain bike courses in Canada. She is a badass graphic designer by day and has a knack for turning ideas into beautiful works of art. She makes riding look (and feel) good!

Steven Peters

Park Ranger by day, MTB Instructor by…well… day. He is passionate about the outdoors and keen to help people enjoy it just as much as he does. With a background in waterpolo coaching for 10 years, expect to learn heaps! He is a machine on the bike, and knows just the right things to say to make you feel like one too. Steve knows his way around the trails of Wellington and is always up for an adventure!

Sasha Smith

Don’t be fooled by this XC whippit, Sasha will beat you up AND down the hill all doing so with a smile. She loves riding, and is stoked to share that passion with everyone. She might wear business attire during the day, but come the evening, she is back in baggies for coaching kids at WORD and on the weekend she is stomping it on the MTB race scene.

Mike Evans

A Wellington native, Mike has just returned from a few years living in Rotorua. He has come back with big air and amazing style. Spending most of his days professionally trail building, Mike knows how to read the trail and pass on the knowledge to you. He calm and patient, but don’t let that fool you…he will most certainly be the first down the hill!